Grand National Roadster Show marks its 70th anniversary

By RK Motors - Jan 10, 2019

Rest up and get down!

The 2018 Grand National Roadster Show. Photos courtesy Rod Shows.

The upcoming Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS), taking place from January 25-27, 2019, at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, California, marks a milestone anniversary for the event. For 70 years — making it the longest continually running indoor car show in the world — the GNRS has been attracting the best builders, hot rods, customs, motorcycles, and lowriders in the world, with an annual highlight being the selection of “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” from a pool of 13 finalists.

Dave Martin’s ’31 Ford roadster was named America’s Most Beautiful Roadster in 2018.

Dave Martin’s ’31 Ford roadster was named America’s Most Beautiful Roadster in 2018.

Winning the AMBR award comes with a check for $10,000, plus permanent recognition on the 9-foot tall “Perpetual Trophy.” Last year’s AMBR honoree was a ’31 Ford – the Martin Special – built by Scott Bonowski and Hot Rods & Hobbies for owner Dave Martin. It’s lived several lives, and in a bare metal iteration was driven in the 2017 Silver State Classic, a closed-road, hammer-down race that runs from Lund to Hiko, Nevada. Dave averaged 101.5 mph over the 90-mile course, and we absolutely love to hear stories of hot rods being driven instead of just displayed.

Pete Chapouris’s Limefire roadster and The California Kid coupe, seen here at the 2017 GNRS. Chapouris died a few weeks before that year’s show.

Pete Chapouris’s Limefire roadster and The California Kid coupe, seen here at the 2017 GNRS. Chapouris died a few weeks before that year’s show.

This year’s show will also celebrate 90 years of the Ford Model A, and more than 100 examples are expected to be on display. Notable cars will include seven previous AMBR winners, the Chrisman Brothers sedan, the ’29 roadster (built atop a ’32 frame) driven by Elvis Presley in the 1957 movie Loving You, and the Eddie Dye roadster.

Rosario Onorato’s ’64 Chevy Impala lowrider, The Blue Rose, at the 2017 GNRS.

Rosario Onorato’s ’64 Chevy Impala lowrider, The Blue Rose, at the 2017 GNRS.

Other planned events include a tribute to Chip Foose, who will be named the “Builder of the Decade” during the GNRS. Bonneville and NHRA record-holding vehicles will also be shown, and a variety of car clubs (including The Road Kings, Lifestyle, Inland Mopars, and German Folks) will host displays, the list of builders attending or showing cars already includes Steve Strope, Troy Ladd, Jimmy Shine, Troy Trepanier, Bobby Alloway, and Roy Brizio.

Mike Garner’s 1950 Mercury earned the George Barris Kustom d’Elegance Award in 2018.

Mike Garner’s 1950 Mercury earned the George Barris Kustom d’Elegance Award in 2018.

In addition to the 200 600 or so cars and bikes displayed indoors, another 800 grace the Pomona Fairplex grounds on Saturday and Sunday, offering something for nearly everyone to appreciate. There are manufacturers and vendors offering up their latest goods, and building four will host the Pinstriper Charity Auction, with all proceeds from the custom painting going to Drive Toward a Cure, which funds research into Parkinson’s Disease.

Want automobilia? GNRS vendors offer this as well.

Want automobilia? GNRS vendors offer this as well.

For more on the 2019 GNRS, visit RodShows.com/GNRS/.

SOURCE: HEMMINGS